Small grants available for Big Lunch / Great Get Together street parties and community celebrations

South Bucks District Council is pleased to announce a new grant scheme allowing them to award small grants to support local Great Get Together / Big Lunch activities and events across the district.

The new Connected Communities Small Grants Scheme, which launched today (Monday 29th April) offers grants of up to £150 to support local community events that help prevent social isolation or allow neighbours to get to know one another better.

Two nationwide initiatives are taking place this June which both encourage us to get to know our neighbours. The Big Lunch is the UK's annual get together for neighbours. Every year in June since the idea began in 2009, millions of people stop what they're doing and get together with neighbours in a nationwide act of community and friendship. In addition is The Great Get Together which will take place over the weekend of June 22nd to 24th.

Grants are available for Town and Parish councils, youth clubs, community groups and charities.

South Bucks District Councillor Patrick Hogan, Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities says: "If you're involved with a community group, club or charity and looking to host a 'Big Lunch' or 'Great Get Together' we'd be glad to hear from you. An event can be anything from a small gathering in a garden, local park or even just a couple of trestle tables on your driveway. Many neighbours and groups will be able to put on a lunch without any additional funding, but for those needing a little help I'd urge you to apply so that we can help as many people as possible take part."